This city four miles east of downtown Grand Rapids has been named one of America's Top 10 "Best Places to Live for Suburbanites" and one of "10 Great Cities to Raise Your Kids." It boasts a wonderful variety of beautifully maintained homes, abundant parks and nature areas, a charming business district and a magnificent sports lake - all of which contribute to a sense of community that evokes days gone by.

Where to Eat in East Grand Rapids

The Gaslight Village business district offers a number of restaurants, all within a leisurely sidewalk stroll. Just around the corner is Rose's on Reeds Lake, where Mediterranean, Italian and Casual American influences combine for a one-of-a-kind menu. Ask to be seated on the enclosed patio to savor beautiful lake views.

Discover all of these great area eateries.

Basalt

  • 1450 Wealthy St. SE

Where to Shop in East Grand Rapids

The shops of Gaslight Village specialize in unique, upscale items you won't find in malls and big box stores.

Evereve

  • 1948 Breton Ave. SE

What to Do in East Grand Rapids

There's always plenty to do in East Grand Rapids, from summer concerts and movies in the park to art fairs, book sales and a daylong 4th of July celebration.

Ten city parks within city limits offer playgrounds, hiking and biking trails, and relaxing greenspaces. The paved 4.2-mile Reeds Lake Trail passes through natural wooded areas, wetlands and residential areas, linking many park and school facilities.

What to See in East Grand Rapids

The Regatta is a colorful, 40-foot tall fiberglass sculpture designed to evoke the sails of a ship.

The East Grand Rapids City Center is home to a bronze statue of President Gerald R. Ford. It is a one-third replica of the statue that was displayed in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.

Waterfront Park features a 425-foot floating boardwalk system that gives a unique perspective on Reeds Lake.

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Local East Grand Rapids Favorites

Reeds Lake is a favorite destination for area kayakers, sailors, skiers, fishing enthusiasts and sunbathers. Covering approximately 283 acres and boasting a maximum depth of 52 feet, the lake is home base for yachting regattas, the Huntington Reeds Lake Run and the Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon/Duathlon.

Longtime residents remember Reeds Lake as the heart of Ramona Park, an amusement park that entertained thousands of Midwestern families between 1897 and 1955.

East Grand Rapids Hidden Gems

Brush Studio offers step-by-step instruction for recreating a featured painting - participants are amazed at the artwork they've created by the end of the evening. Enjoy food and drink in a relaxed, social-group setting while you unleash your inner Picasso. Family Days on weekends!

Jersey Junction is an old-fashioned ice cream parlor tucked into an East Grand Rapids side street. It was founded in 1963 by the mother of famed children's book illustrator (and former city resident) Chris Van Allsburg. Today, it offers 28 flavors of locally made Hudsonville ice cream as well as a large selection of candy and a kid-friendly lunch menu.